This was Tyrrell's last year in F1, as Ken Tyrrell had sold the team to British American Racing prior to the first race. Indeed, Tyrrell left the team soon afterwards in anger, after Rosset was chosen to drive alongside Takagi, rather than 1997 Tyrrell driver Jos Verstappen. The team had a V10 engine and a reasonable chassis, but the season was seen as a holding year before BAR took over in 1999. The team was also disadvantaged by having an over-eager rookie in Takagi, who nevertheless showed flashes of potential, and Rosset, who proved to be too slow.

The team was unclassified in the Constructors' Championship, with no points.